Who Needs Deliverance?

Spiritual Ignorance

The obvious candidates for deliverance are those who are not born again into the Kingdom of God. At least this traditionally has been the view of most mainstream Churches, and it never seems to cross our minds that Christians too have equal needs of deliverance as much as those who have yet to acknowledge Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOUR.

However, we should point out in that respect of a Christian in need of deliverance, this situation primarily occurs through severe abdication of authority to the powers of darkness. Put in another way, Christians who live in ignorance of the works of demons, powers of this dark world, Satan and his kingdom are more likely to be afflicted and be in bondage to their works.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Christians therefore, can through fear of the Satanic, ignorance, sin or a permutation of the aforementioned abdicate their God given authority and power over Satan, his cohorts and kingdom; who then in turn become recipients of projectiles of spiritual or physical attacks that are diverse in nature . The consequence of which can leave Christians in ignorance of the wicked powers at work against them, permitting hostile spirits to afflict, entrap, spiritually wound and imprison those brought under their sphere of influence and control.

Mindful Dichotomy

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Because Christians are called to be in the world, live in the world and not be a product of the world according to the prayers offered by Christ for believers when He said,

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

This means that unless Christians live lives so devoted to God in holiness (separated unto Him), they are going to struggle in many areas of their lives. Whilst they also give entrance and unwittingly permit the works of Satan to take place in their lives, in the process of time they become spiritually impoverished and ravished by the powers of darkness. The final state of contact with the works and powers of darkness is terrible for any Christian already ensnared.

So the question every Christian should be asking is not whether they are going to be affected by the works of Satan, and by inference perhaps in ignorance engender the spirit of iniquity; but what do they do when such things takes place? Is the Christian's conscience so marred by sin that it fails to recognise in essence the life of Jesus Christ should reign supreme in those professing faith in Him; or have their conscience become out of sorts that it no longer permeate the fear of God. A conscience that permeate the fear of God is one that is holy and totally bereft of evil influences.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

A Christian living in harmony with His Creator is immediately secure from the potency of hostile spirits' attacks. Such a Christian is within God's heavenly protectorate and jurisdiction. Demons, evil or hostile spirits cannot touch a Christian that is living in the actualisation of the new birth that is in God through Jesus Christ. Deliverance cases draws parallel with the saying "there is no smoke without fire" and when one considers deep down the spiritual problems they are having it will soon become clear if not already dawned on them, that the root cause is embedded in their ignorance of the things of God, or some cases wilful disposition to particulars of sin.

Ultimately, sin is the visa for demons, evil or hostile spirits to commence demonic related activities and it does not always mean that it will lead to demonic possession of the Christian immediately. The consideration of demonic related activities has prompted arbitrary and dogmatic response mainly from mainstream church that Christians cannot be possessed. Since the debate focuses entirely on possession, many Christians are given false hope that irrespective of what they do and how they constitute their lives; even with a worst case scenario, they can never be possessed by demons. This of course is untrue and perhaps sadly and more importantly; it provides highly sought and valuable cover for demons so that the activities transpiring which are obviously demonic in the lives of the spiritually afflicted Christians are denied and attributed to other probable causes contradictory to the victims’ daily objective reality.

From Scripture it is safe and reasonable to conclude that Christians who sin and continue to do so to the extent of possessing and displaying an inability to prevent reoccurrence of that particular sin; is no longer in control. Since such Christians are no longer in control, it means that something else is in control that is influencing that sinful behaviour and it is not the Spirit of God; as the Spirit of God will not cause or lead Christians to sin. An important fact often overlooked or simply glossed over by those whose theological disposition inclines them not to believe Christians can stray and become entrapped by spiritual powers of darknees.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Since God has given Christians the Spirit of love to reflect His character, the spirit of power to live in the authority of the new creation reality, and the spirit of sound mind to display the mind of Christ; it follows that when there is a breach of these divine attributes, and Christians act contrary to what they have already received, then something has fundementally gone so badly wrong. Every Christian should be able to subdue passions arising against the new creation reality as a result of Christ living and reigning in them, since they are no longer a slave.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The perpetuation of sinful lifestyle predisposes Christians to demonic attacks rendering them powerless and unable to respond appropriately to the works of sin. Christians faced with such predisposition are patently void of self control actualised in their new birth in Christ according to see 2 Timothy 1:7 (King James Version). This does not accurately reflect the Christians envisaged in the Holy Bible exuding authority in Christ; but ones who have lost spiritual authority or conceded authority to subtle powers of darkness ebbing away their capacity to maintain self control, and rendering them unable to resist the influx of spiritual attacks on their souls. It is evident in Scripture that sin and grace cannot peacefully coexist. Sin is of the Devil and being caught up or wrapped up in sin, is a sure sign that the Devil and his cohorts are in control.

Although many would acknowledge that grace and sin cannot coexist peacefully within a born again person, only few realise just how precarious a position it is to find oneself in that disposition.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The warning given in Galatians 4:8 - 10; Galatians 5:7 - 8 and Galatians 5:16 - 24 (King James Version) was written directly to Christians and not to unbelievers. It is astonishing to find that those who gladly received Christ into their lives, found themselves being drawn later to the things that made them slaves to sin. It was relevant to them because Apostle Paul understood the impact of ungodliness and its undesirable effects on the Galatian Christians, and his assessment is certainly relevant to today’s Christians.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Since Christians cannot be slaves to sin and sinful living then it most surely follow that those who make a habit of sinning are in bondage to Satan and his fruitless works of darkness. Again, in the Scripture Christians are reminded that they were delivered from the spirit that works all manner of disobedience in those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. This same spirit is at work today not just in unbelievers but also in some Christians. This spirit enables and provides justification for sinful lifestyle, experimentation with new age philosophies and beliefs; even the occult. It encourages all manner of promiscuity, sexual immorality and perversion, corruption, abuse, greed, unrighteousness, self worth above biblical truths; celebration of nonsense and post enlightenment thinking. This is the spirit Scripture describes as the prince of the power of the air.

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

The work of the flesh (sinful nature) is a sign that sin is still at work and deliverance is therefore needed. The need to be free from the tentacles of demonic and satanic influence, oppression and control is paramount to spiritual growth and development of Christians that to ignore it, is to do the Devil's bidding.

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Any Christian struggling to overcome all manner, diversification and manifestation of sexual deviance, impurity and perversion is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian suffering from addiction to alcohol, drugs, pornography, and violence is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian who experience real sexual intercourse in dreams that translate into reality with several sexual partners known and unknown to him/her is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian eating often in peculiar places undergoing ungodly rituals and initiations with strangers in dreams is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian that speaks consciously to an imaginary spirit friend who can also speak back or has made contact with the spirit world using the Ouija board and similar occult art etc, is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian that has invoked a curse upon him/herself through ignorance is in need of deliverance. The words of our mouths are powerful containers and carriers for demons or evil spirit to seize upon when spoken in anger, rage or ignorance.

Any Christian preoccupied with greed, exploitation and financial unrighteousness is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian that is a member or practicing member of an esoteric organisation or secret society which involves rituals, sacrifices, and worship of demons disguised as gods is in desparate need of deliverance.

Any Christian that has since becoming a Christian undergone any form of initiation into the inner sanctums of the occult, esoteric organisation or secret society is in desparate need of deliverance.

Any Christian experiencing moving objects within their body is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian in possession of totems venerated for magical powers by their ancestors and descendants alike is need of deliverance.

Any Christian experiencing constant nightmares in dreams is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian having suicidal or murderous thoughts is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian practicing any form transcendental meditation (TM), yoga, visualisation, centering, or channelling is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian in possession of or, relying on charms and talisman for protection is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian that uses the LORD's name in vain or as a swear word is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian that consults and venerates angelic spirits is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian obtaining anointing from cemetaries and the dead is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian that astral travels or soul projects knowingly and unknowingly is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian predisposed to the operations of false signs and wonders is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian involved in the merchandising of the free gifts of the Holy Spirit, is in serious need of deliverance.

Any Christian who is an adherent of false doctrines, false prophets, false teaching, false ministries and satanic ministers is in need of deliverance.

Any Christain who views their visions, prophecies and dreams to have or carry more weight and authority over Scripture is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian according reverence to a servant of God above and beyond what is biblically acceptable is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian being visited in dreams and mentored by spirit guides in subtle form of occultism is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian leaving their spouse to marry another claiming God authorised it is in need of deliverance.

Any Christian knowingly entering into an unequally yoked marriage is in need of deliverance.

There are more that can be added to the list as it is not intended to be exhaustive and besides, the extremity of each case of deliverance may vary depending on several factors already discussed throughout this website.

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

The depth of ignorance prevalent within the body of Christ over spiritual matters is overwhelming and remonstratively sad.

Do You Need Deliverance?

We should point out that everything we have said here also applies to those who are non-Christian. Non-Christians are particularly more prone to demonic attacks by the demise of not having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Sin is the reason why we need deliverance, as we come to Christ Jesus in the genuine acceptance of what He has done for us on the Cross; we have been delivered from the Kingdom of darkness.

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

However, being born again is not the end of your spiritual development and formation but only the beginning as you tend now toward perfection in Christ. Your spirit is indeed renewed and regenerated by the Spirit of God but your soul is still plagued with the fruitless deeds of darkness. The soul lags behind in conforming to the new creation reality actualized in the spirit of the born again man or woman. This fact alone means that Christian who do not take concrete measures to develop their spiritual vocation with God, by the enabling of His grace are more exposed to the enterprises of the Devil, and ensnared by them.

Hence, the changes needed in the soul takes time to register the manifest likeness of the Spirit. However in some cases they are stunted or hindered altogether from manifesting as a result of subtle wicked spiritual powers acting against it. The Soul must undergo character reformation and realise the evidence of the new creation reality in Christ. When that is not forth coming, then deliverance must follow to bring about order in the chaos ensuing the soul.

Should you continue to struggle with the sin that God delivered us from then you need deliverance to overcome the desires of those sin and their passions.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.